Title

Author

Department

Social Work

Date of Paper/Work

2016

Degree Name

Master of Social Work (M.S.W.)

Type of Paper/Work

Clinical research paper

Advisors

Renee Hepperlen

Abstract

This textual analysis study will examine local newspapers to see if they report anything on socioeconomic status, mental health or race when reporting crime or initiatives. Using content analysis, the researcher is able to evaluate any patterns in the newspaper articles and any significant findings. This study incorporated an understanding of labeling theory to gain understanding of how newspaper articles can portray different groups of individuals. This study examined local newspapers available to people in the Twin Cities area and how these newspaper articles portrayed individuals as they were researched in the literature review. In consideration of how race is presented in the media historically, it seems that this research would show a correlation that stereotypes are likely reinforced through the writing of newspaper articles.